No tilt joystick with CCD sensing

Abstract

A manually-operated control for generating a vector signal comprises first and second plates arranged in substantially parallel planes and being movable relative to each other in two directions while remaining substantially parallel. A non-tilt handle connected to one of the plates causes the relative movement of the plates. A CCD camera is fixed to one of the plates focused on the other plate. A microprocessor-based controller is connected to input and process images sequentially input from the camera for detecting and quantifying the relative movement of the two plates in two directions and generating a vector signal indicative thereof.

1 . A manually-operated control for generating a vector signal comprising: 
 first and second plates arranged in substantially parallel planes and being movable relative to each other in two directions while remaining substantially parallel;    a non-tilt handle connected to one of said plates for causing the relative movement of said plates;    a CCD camera fixed to one of said plates focused on the other plate; and    a microprocessor-based controller connected to input and process images sequentially input from said camera for detecting and quantifying the relative movement of the two plates in two directions and generating a vector signal indicative thereof.    
   
   
       2 . A manually-operated control for generating a vector signal indicative of the displacement of a non-tilt handle and a scalar signal indicative of rotation of said handle comprising: 
 first and second plates arranged in substantially parallel planes and being movable in translation and rotation while remaining substantially parallel;    said handle connected to one of said plates with an axis substantially perpendicular to the plate to which it is connected for causing the relative translation and rotation movement of said plates;    two spaced CCD cameras fixed to one of said plates focused on the other plate; and    a microprocessor-controller connected to input and process images sequentially input from said cameras for detecting and quantifying the relative movement of the two plates in two directions and generating a vector signal indicative thereof and for detecting and quantifying the rotation of said handle about the axis thereof.    
   
   
       3 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the vector signal is comprised of two signals indicative of displacement from home in two directions.  
   
   
       4 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the vector signal is comprised of an angular direction signal and a displacement from home signal.  
   
   
       5 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 1  or  2 , further comprising: 
 a housing supporting a third plate substantially parallel to the first and second plates, said third plate being in sliding contact with one of said first and second plates.    
   
   
       6 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 5 , wherein the plate to which the handle is not connected has an opening therein through which the handle passes.  
   
   
       7 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 6 , further comprising: 
 biasing means between the plate to which the handle is connected and the housing for urging the handle to return to a home position relative to the housing.    
   
   
       8 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 7 , further comprising means for sensing that the handle is at or near the home position.  
   
   
       9 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 8 , wherein the means for sensing that the handle is at or near the home position comprises a pattern on the plate on which a camera is focused.  
   
   
       10 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 1 , wherein the scalar value of the vector signal is indicative of the distance of the handle from the home position.  
   
   
       11 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 5 , wherein the plate to which the handle is attached has a circular shape and the handle is attached near the center of the plate.  
   
   
       12 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 11 , wherein the housing provides a cylindrical cavity adjacent the third plate for restricting travel of the plate attached to the handle.  
   
   
       13 . The manually-operated control according to  claim 12 , wherein the means for biasing is a coil spring extending along the axis of the handle and secured at one end to the housing.